Home renovations in Tenerife go best when you plan backwards from what can’t slip: structural or moisture issues, the availability of key materials on-island, and the crew’s calendar.

Locals typically start by defining “must-fix vs nice-to-have,” then they set a realistic timeline based on lead times for kitchens, tiles, carpentry, and deliveries, and finally they agree payment milestones that match on-site progress.

This article lays out a practical planning approach you can copy, plus the questions to ask so your budget stays under control and your timeline stays believable.

1) Start like a local: “must-fix” vs “nice-to-have”

In Tenerife, budgets go off-track most often when homeowners choose finishes first and discover “invisible” problems later.

A local-style plan puts safety, leaks, and habitability ahead of style, then layers the aesthetic upgrades on top.

• Must-fix: anything that risks water damage, electrical safety, structural integrity, or mould.
• Should-fix: things that will be expensive to fix later once everything is finished.
• Nice-to-have: improvements that can wait without causing damage or rework.

Use this quick decision rule: if leaving it as-is could damage the property or make the next step impossible, it’s must-fix.

• Typical must-fix examples: leaking pipes, damp walls, failing waterproofing on terraces, unsafe electrics, rotten timber, cracked drain lines.
• Typical should-fix examples: re-tiling a shower before installing a new screen, replacing an old water heater before boxing it in, upgrading ventilation in interior bathrooms.
• Typical nice-to-have examples: new cabinet fronts, feature lighting, decorative microcement, fancy faucets.

Once you’ve sorted the list, decide your “non-negotiables” (must-fix items) and your “if budget allows” items (nice-to-have).

This single step makes the rest of the process simpler because every quote, change, and delay can be judged against priorities.

2) Budget the Tenerife way: separate work packages and add a contingency buffer

Renovation budgets feel clearer in Tenerife when you break them into work packages instead of one huge number.

This also helps you compare quotes more fairly, because you can see what is included (and what isn’t) in each line.

• Demolition & disposal: removal, skips/transport, and clean-out.
• “Wet” works: plumbing, waterproofing, tiling, shower trays, drains.
• Electrical: rewiring, new circuits, lighting points, consumer unit upgrades.
• Walls & ceilings: plasterboard, skim coats, repairs, insulation.
• Floors: levelling, tiles, vinyl, laminate, thresholds.
• Carpentry & joinery: doors, wardrobes, custom storage, trim.
• Kitchen/bath supply: cabinets, worktops, sanitaryware, taps, appliances.
• Painting & final finish: primer, paint system, caulking, touch-ups.

Contingency buffer: locals commonly keep a buffer for “unknown unknowns,” especially in older apartments where hidden pipework and uneven surfaces are common.

• Plan 10% contingency for straightforward cosmetic refreshes.
• Plan 15% (or more) if you are opening up bathrooms/kitchens, moving plumbing, or working in an older building.

Keep the contingency as its own line item and only release it when you have a written change agreed.

Municipal admin costs can apply. Requirements vary by municipality and by the type of work, but in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, some works can be processed as a “Comunicación Previa de Obras,” with the city’s procedure requiring submission at least 15 working days before the planned start date and applying fees and ICIO (a construction tax) based on the execution budget. For Santa Cruz’s published procedure details and fee table, check the Gerencia Municipal de Urbanismo.

3) Build a realistic timeline around island materials and lead times

Tenerife is well supplied, but it is still an island, and that changes how you plan.

Locals schedule the work around the slowest-moving items, not around the day demolition starts.

What this looks like in practice: you choose and confirm “long-lead” items first (kitchen, shower screens, custom carpentry, special tiles), then you time demolition and installation to match deliveries.

• Fast (same week): in-stock paint, basic fittings, standard tools, many common repair materials.
• Medium (days): standard delivery services and stock transfers can take 24–48 hours to a few days, depending on product and method.
• Slow (weeks): made-to-measure kitchens, custom doors/wardrobes, special-order tiles, worktops, and imported finishes.

For example, Leroy Merlin Spain publicly states that standard shipping may be 24–48 hours or 1–4 days depending on product dimensions and delivery method, while click-and-collect can be ready very quickly. Brico Depôt Spain states click-and-collect can be prepared within 30–60 minutes and home delivery can take 4–8 business days. Use this as a reality check for “stock items,” then assume special-order items will take longer.

A Tenerife-ready sample timeline (typical bathroom + partial apartment refresh):

• Week 0 (planning): confirm scope, measure, choose finishes, order long-lead items, book trades.
• Week 1 (prep): protect common areas, deliver materials, small repairs, start demolition only when key items are confirmed.
• Week 2–3 (core works): plumbing/electrical rough-in, waterproofing, levelling, wall repairs.
• Week 3–4 (finishes): tiling, fixtures, carpentry, paint.
• Final days: snag list, deep clean, handover photos and receipts.

If your renovation includes a kitchen, many locals plan a “no-kitchen window” and set up a temporary solution (microwave, kettle, and a basic sink if possible) so delays don’t turn into daily stress.

4) Plan the sequence of trades to avoid rework

In Tenerife, you often coordinate multiple small teams rather than one big general contractor.

The trick is to lock the order of operations so you don’t pay twice for the same work.

• 1) Survey and measurement: confirm levels, damp, and existing pipe/electric routes.
• 2) Demolition: remove only what you are ready to rebuild.
• 3) Rough-in: plumbing and electrics first, then inspections/pressure tests if needed.
• 4) Close-up works: plasterboard, waterproofing, screeds/levelling.
• 5) Tiling and floors: allow curing time before heavy loads.
• 6) Second-fix: install fixtures, switches, lighting, sanitaryware.
• 7) Paint and finishing: last, to reduce damage and touch-ups.

Checklist: before any demolition starts

• All “must-fix” items are agreed and written.
• Tiles/sanitaryware/kitchen plan is selected, measured, and ordered.
• Building/community rules are checked (hours, lift protection, rubble removal).
• Access and parking/loading are planned.
• Waste disposal plan is confirmed.
• Photo record of existing conditions is saved (especially hidden corners).

5) Set payment milestones that match progress (and protect both sides)

Locals often prefer stage payments because they reduce risk for both homeowner and contractor.

The goal is simple: pay for completed work and confirmed deliveries, not for promises.

• Milestone 1 (booking): small deposit to reserve dates and start procurement.
• Milestone 2 (materials on site): payment when agreed long-lead items are delivered and checked.
• Milestone 3 (rough-in complete): plumbing/electrical first fix completed and documented with photos.
• Milestone 4 (finishes complete): tiling/flooring installed, fixtures fitted, major punch items closed.
• Milestone 5 (handover): final payment after snag list is done and the site is clean.

Keep every milestone tied to a clearly defined “done” state, and ask for a simple written note or message confirming completion.

If you are paying for high-value supply items through a retailer, confirm in writing who is responsible for missing parts, damaged items, and re-delivery costs.

6) How locals reduce surprises: scope clarity, contingency, and photo updates

Surprises in renovations are normal, but expensive surprises are often avoidable.

Local homeowners reduce risk by writing the scope clearly, setting a contingency buffer, and keeping communication visual.

• Scope clarity: specify exactly what is included (and excluded) for each room.
• Finish schedule: list product names, sizes, colours, and where they go.
• Change control: no “extra” starts without a price and a revised finish date agreed first.
• Contingency buffer: keep 10–15% uncommitted until hidden conditions are known.
• Photo updates: ask for photos at key points (after demolition, after rough-in, before closing walls).
• Weekly mini-recap: one message summarising what was done, what is next, and what is blocked.

Photo updates are especially useful when you are not living in the property full time or you are coordinating trades remotely.

What to ask before booking (to protect your budget and timeline)

• What exactly is included in your quote, room by room (and what is excluded)?
• Which items are long-lead, and when will you place orders?
• What is the realistic start date and end date, and what could move it?
• How will changes be priced and approved (message, email, signed variation)?
• Who is responsible for waste removal and daily site clean-up?
• How often will you send photo updates, and at which milestones?
• What warranty or aftercare do you provide, and how do I report snag issues?
• Who will be my day-to-day contact, and who covers if they are unavailable?

If you want to get multiple quotes quickly, you can post one request on MiTenerife and compare offers from local renovation professionals based on availability, approach, and scope clarity.

Ready to plan your renovation without guesswork? Visit mitenerife.com to get the best offers within 1 hour.